PHNOM PENH, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance institutional capacity and operationalize Cambodia's national aging policy.
The agreement, which will initially last for two years, contains details of several areas of cooperation to support Cambodia's ageing population, a joint press statement said, adding that these include the development of the Action Plan Phase II (2021-2025) in response to the National Ageing Policy (2017-2030) and the roll-out of a chosen pilot.
The deal also includes the production of empirical evidence and capacity building to national counterparts on the socio-economic impacts of expanding social protection measures, it said, adding that the feasibility of extending free healthcare to elderly citizens will also be explored.
While Cambodia currently has one of the youngest populations in Southeast Asia, its population is also aging. In 2019, 8.9 percent of the kingdom's 16 million population were aged 60 years and above, an increase from 5.25 percent two decades ago.
This figure is expected to increase to 21 percent by 2050, the statement said, adding that these trends imply that over the next several decades a potentially shrinking working age population will need to support an expanding elderly population in the country.
"Cambodia is a young country, but it won't stay that way. In the mid-2020s, we will reach a turning point where the number of old age dependents is growing faster than the number of working age people," Nick Beresford, UNDP resident representative in Cambodia, said.
"So we need to act now to put in place old age pensions and social protection systems that give senior citizens the support and dignity they deserve," he said.
Vong Sauth, minister of social affairs, veterans and youth rehabilitation, said respect and care for the elderly are integral to Cambodian culture and added that ensuring a high quality of life for older persons is always among the government's strategic priorities.
"The royal government is looking forward to working with UNDP and other partners to promote the welfare of Cambodian elderlies and thus creating a more vibrant social protection system throughout the individual's life cycle," he said. Enditem
